Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) yesterday (April 16) delivered the 8,000th 737 to come off the production line to United Airlines (Chicago) as N68821, marking another important milestone for the world’s best-selling airplane. The airplane, a Next-Generation 737-900 ER (Extended Range), features a special logo.
The 737 is the first commercial airplane in history to reach this delivery milestone. The program has a strong backlog with more than 3,700 airplanes on order, including 1,934 orders for the new 737 MAX.
United was the first airline to order and take delivery of the 737-200. Since 1965, United has taken delivery of more than 550 737s and operated nearly every model.
Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-924 ER N68821 (msn 43535) lands at Boeing Field in Seattle. N68821ย has small “8000th 737” gray titles by the main cabin door.
Sunwing Airlines (Toronto) has taken delivery of a new Boeing 737-800 (737-81D C-GNCH, msn 39438) (above) with a new Sky Interior direct from Boeing. The airline issued this statement:
“Sunwing Airlines is pleased to announce it has taken delivery of its newest aircraft directly from the Boeing facility in Seattle. Earlier this month, Sunwing representatives travelled to the Seattle headquarters of Boeing to pick up their latest aircraft — the state-of-the-art 737-800 Boeing plane which is configured within Sunwing fleet specification to accommodate 189 passengers. Sunwing Captain, John Hudson and crew operated the brand new aircraft carrying the Sunwing representatives from Seattle to Toronto.
The Next-Generation aircraft contains most modern interior features such as an innovative cabin mood lighting system, pivoting overhead stowage bins that add to the openness of the cabin, as well as advanced-technology wing design that helps increase fuel capacity and efficiency. After leaving Boeing, the 737-800 series plane was retrofitted with the Split Scimitar Winglets technology prior to its integration into Sunwing Airlines flight operations. This technology improves performance of the aircraft and decreases fuel burn by approximately seven per cent over the same aircraft with no Winglets.”
Top Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-81D C-GNCH taxies at Boeing Field (King County) in Seattle on a clear day.
Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) has kicked off expansion of its 737 Commercial Delivery Center (CDC) at Boeing Field inย Seattle. The project more than doubles the space that will be available for customers and groups supporting increased 737 deliveries.
The expanded CDC will be more than 90,000 square feet and include a new three-story building, as well as new delivery and departure areas with three covered jetways. The design features an open, airy look with large windows overlooking the Boeing Field flight line. The CDC expansion is the latest of many investments Boeing is making across the Puget Sound region and in the future of the 737 program.
Production of the 737 is set to increase to 42 airplanes per month in April and to 47 airplanes per month in 2017, an increase in output of nearly 50 percent since 2010. Deliveries of the 737 MAX, with the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines and other efficiency enhancements like Advanced Technology winglets, will also begin in 2017 at the upgraded facility.
Plans are in place to ensure seamless deliveries to 737 customers during construction, which includes the demolition of one building. The CDC expansion is scheduled for completion in mid-2015.
SilkAir (Singapore) and Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) celebrated the delivery of the carrier’s first Next-Generation 737-800 (737-8SA 9V-MGA, msn 44217). The delivery also marked the start of the airline’s transition to an all-Boeing fleet. Over the coming years, Boeing will deliver a total of 23 737-800s and 31 737 MAX 8s to SilkAir.
SilkAir’s new 737 will enter service later this month, flying to existing destinations including inย Malaysia,Thailandย andย Indonesia. With the follow-on 737 deliveries, SilkAir will fly the aircraft to more destinations in Cambodia,ย Vietnam, India andย the Philippinesย starting in March.
SilkAir is a full-service airline and the regional wing of Singapore Airlines. It currently flies more than 350 weekly flights to 45 destinations in 12 countries.
SilkAir is also celebrating its 25th Anniversary. The airline issued this statement in January:
With 25 years in the air under its wing, SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will be celebrating its Silver anniversary this year. Marking its anniversary celebrations, the airline will be taking delivery of the first aircraft in its new fleet of 54 Boeing 737s in early February 2014. A total of eight planes are expected this year, with the remaining aircraft to be delivered by the end of this decade. This delivery will enable SilkAir to maintain a young and modern fleet, and cater for the airlineโs continued network expansion plans by significantly growing its existing fleet. With the new aircraft, several enhancements will be offered to improve the in-flight experience for travellers including upgraded cabin interiors with more spacious overhead luggage compartments and lighting systems.
In addition to the milestone aircraft delivery, SilkAir will roll out a host of surprises and celebrations for their avid Asian traveller target. For starters, to rally consumers and involve them in SilkAirโs historic Boeing delivery, the airline will bring fans and aviation lovers together to virtually deliver the new aircraft to Singapore. Tracking the actual delivery route, from the Boeing Renton factory in Seattle to Singaporeโs Changi Airport via Honolulu, Majuro and Guam, theย โBringing Boeing Home with SilkAirโย program is Asiaโs first 25-hour flight simulator event that will allow up to 150 selected members of the public to fly a simulator SilkAir Boeing 737-800 plane into Singapore. The event will take place overnight from February 7-8, 2014 at Flight Experience Singapore, located at the Singapore Flyer.
SilkAir travellers will also be rewarded through special promotional deals where 250,000 tickets will be made available at special rates for consumers in Singapore and across the region.
Commenting on the anniversary celebrations, SilkAir Chief Executive, Mr. Leslie Thng, said โIt is a tremendously exciting time for the airline, and I am honoured and humbled to be part of such a milestone celebration. I would like to pay a special tribute to our 1,500 employees who have been with us on our incredible 25 year journey. Without their unwavering support, dedication and heart, we would not be here today.โ
He added, โSilkAirโs success is also due to the on-going support from our passengers and the public. Helping travellers discover Asiaโs newest frontiers for the past 25 years, we are always looking at ways to enhance the journey for our customers. Our new Boeing fleet will enable us to put the passenger at the centre of our focus, with the objective to deliver a higher level of quality and experience. Despite aggressive competition, we have maintained a strong foothold in the market as a full service regional carrier and become known for offering access to unique destinations, with genuine and thoughtful service that exemplifies true Asian hospitality. Moving forward, we will continue to improve and adapt, catering to the evolving needs of travellers in Asia. For instance, to appeal to a more well-travelled audience looking for adventure, we will focus on expanding our network to unique destinations especially in key markets such as China, India and Indonesia. We will continue to build on the last 25 years, and soar to new heights of air travel excellence.โ
The demand for flight travel in Asia-Pacific continues to rise, presenting vast opportunities for growth. The Boeing 737-800 delivery allows SilkAir to tap into the growing demand and explore the opening of routes across Asia for our travellers. To meet the need for more crew and pilots with the right skills to operate and run the Boeing 737 fleet, SilkAir has invested in conversion training at Singaporeโs Boeing Flight Services Training Centre to equip existing staff with the skills needed for the transition.
The first aircraft is planned to enter service from February 20, 2014, flying to destinations including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Phuket and Medan while the arrival of the second plane will allow the addition of other routes for the new aircraft including Siem Reap, Danang, Davao, Cebu and Kochi from March 17, 2014.
Since its inception, the airlineโs network has expanded to cover 45 exotic destinations in 12 countries across the region. A full-service carrier that offers services and features that ensure enjoyable and reliable travel experiences, SilkAir has maintained a strong position in the intra-Asian market and is already Asiaโs most awarded regional airline, with recent titles such as Regional Airline of the Year (Air Transport News 2013 Awards) as well as the TTG Asia Travel Awards Hall of Fame to its name.
Copyright Photo: Boeing.ย SilkAir and Boeing on Monday (February 3) celebrated the delivery of the carrierโs first Next-Generation 737-800. The delivery also marked the start of the Singapore-based airlineโs transition to an all-Boeing fleet. Pictured here is a celebration with company and airline employees at Boeing Field in Seattle on Monday.
Boeing (Chicago) has flown the 787-9 Dreamliner toย Auckland, home of launch customer Air New Zealand, marking the 787-9’s international debut and longest flight since the robust test program began.
The second of three 787-9s dedicated to the flight-test program, ZB002 flew direct fromย Seattle’sย Boeing Field toย Aucklandย International Airport, departingย January 3ย atย 9:55 a.m.ย local time and landing (shown here) some 13 hours, 49 minutes later. The airplane is scheduled to continue on to Alice Springs,Australia, for testing in hot weather.
The 787-9 will complement and extend the super-efficient 787 family. With the fuselage stretched by 20 feet (6 meters) over the 787-8, the 787-9 will fly up to 40 more passengers an additional 300 nautical miles (555 km) with the same exceptional environmental performance โ 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than similarly sized aircraft. The 787-9 leverages the visionary design of the 787-8, offering passengers features such as large windows, large stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and a smoother ride.
Boeing is on track to deliver the 787-9 to launch customer Air New Zealand in mid-2014. Twenty-six customers from around the world have ordered 402 787-9s, accounting for 39 percent of all 787 orders.
Spring Airlines Japan (Spring Airlines Japan Company Limited) (Tokyo-Narita), which was established in October 2012 and 33 percent of the stock is owned by Spring Airlines of China, received its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) on December 17, 2013 from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The remaining 67 percent of the stock is owned by local Japanese investors.
The new airline is planning to fly international flights and domestic flights starting on May 31, 2014.
According to the airline, Spring Airlines Japan will offer “cheap fares, with the aim to improve the convenience of the user and to stimulate new demand with the aim of development of the business, not only in tourism but will continue to contribute to the revitalization of the local economy.”
The airline will utilize 189-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft (above).
Domestically the low-fare airline will operate from Narita Airport to Takamatsu and Saga to Hiroshima.
Copyright Photo: Rick Schlamp/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Boeing 737-81D ย N272LM (msn 39429) was delivered as JA01GR on July 17, 2013 and has been used to obtain the AOC.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) in another move to underscore its growing presence at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and in celebration of its 80th anniversary of service and growing presence in the Seattle/Tacoma area,ย unveiled at Boeing Field a new Boeing 737-900 ER aircraft (737-932 ER N809DN, msn 31915) as the ‘Spirit of Seattle,’ dedicated to the city of Seattle and the airline’s customers, employees and partners in the region.
The dedication took place in a ceremony at Boeing Field, the same location that Delta began service in Seattle on December 3, 1933, through Northwest Airways, which eventually became Northwest Airlines. The inaugural flight was flown from Spokane to Seattle and back to Spokane on a Waco JTO biplane carrying no passengers. Initial passenger service was a Tacoma-Seattle-Wenatchee-Spokane route using 7-passenger, 120-mph Hamilton H47 Metalplanes.
Today, Delta operates 35 peak-day departures to 15 destinations from its growing gateway in Seattle, including non-stop international service to Amsterdam, Paris, Tokyo-Narita, Tokyo-Haneda, Shanghai and Beijing. Additional international service is planned in 2014 to London-Heathrow as well as Hong Kong and Seoul, pending government approval. Delta will also expand Seattle service to Anchorage, Alaska; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Portland, Ore.; San Diego; and San Francisco and also recently announced new service to Fairbanks, Alaska, and Vancouver, Canada, beginning in the summer of 2014.
More than 100 Delta Chairman’s Club honorees attended the dedication event along with local employees and corporate and community partners. The honorees are accompanying the aircraft on its delivery flight from Seattle to Atlanta prior to entering service later this month. Chairman’s Club is Delta’s highest honor in employee recognition, and honorees embody Delta’s values through their distinguished contributions and exceptional service to customers and the communities Delta serves.
The ‘Spirit of Seattle’ is the ninth of 100 new 737-900 ERs that will be delivered to Delta between 2013 and 2018 as it retires older mainline jets and upgrades its fleet. The 737-900 ER will be deployed on several routes to and from Seattle/Tacoma, among others, and has a range of 3,200 nautical miles, giving it the ability to operate any domestic route in Delta’s extensive network.
Delta will take delivery of three additional 737-900 ERs this year for a total of 12 aircraft in 2013, 19 aircraft per year in 2014 through 2017, and 12 aircraft in 2018. The 180-seat aircraft will replace older, less efficient aircraft on a capacity-neutral basis while providing customers with an industry-leading on-board experience.
As Delta’s first aircraft to feature Boeing’s new “Sky Interior,” the 737-900 ER offers the airline’s customers expanded carry-on baggage space, a roomier, more airy cabin and an LED lighting system that provides different color schemes, such as a soft blue sky and a relaxing pallet of sunset colors.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Sister ship Boeing 737-932 ER N805DN (msn 31913), the fifth, was delivered on November 1, 2013.
Delta Air Lines:ย
Bottom Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com. N809DN “The Spirit of Seattle” is seen at Boeing Field in Seattle.
Thai Lion Air (Bangkok-Don Mueang) has secured its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) and is planning to launch scheduled low-fare passenger operations on December 4 with two new 215-seat Boeing 737-900 ERs. The first routes will be from Don Mueang to Chiang Mai, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur according to the Bangkok Post. The low-cost carrier will add Singapore, Guangzhou, Hong, Shenzhen, Delhi and Mumbai next year.
Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Boeing 737-9GP ER N5515R (msn 38738) became HS-LTI when it was handed over on October 18, 2013 in Seattle.
Boeing (Chicago) and the Lion Group (Lion Air) (Jakarta), Indonesia’s largest airline group, yesterday (November 4) commemorated the delivery of the carrier’s 100th Next-Generation 737 at a special event.
The Lion Group’s 100th airplane, the pictured Lion Air 737-9GP ER (Extended Range) PK-LOF (msn 38741) features a special “100th Boeing Next-Generation 737 – Thank You Indonesia” livery commemorating the delivery.
Lion Air, which was established in 1999, was also the launch customer for the 737-900 ER. Lion Air mainline currently operates 67 737-900 ERs and 19 737-800s. The group’s other Next-Generation 737s are allocated to its full-service carrier in Indonesia, Batik Air, and to its overseas affiliates: Malindo Air in Malaysia and Thai Lion Air, a new carrier based in Bangkok.
All of the Lion Group’s new 737 deliveries feature the Boeing Sky Interior, the 787 Dreamliner inspired cabin.
Lion mainline and subsidiary Wings Air serve 76 destinations in Indonesia, giving the group the largest domestic network in Indonesia. Lion Air mainline has 580 flights a day and Wings Air has 180 flights per day.
Top Copyright Photo: The Boeing Company. Bottom Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com.
El Al Israel Airlines (Tel Aviv) and Boeing (Chicago) have finalized an order for two additional Next-Generation 737-900 ER (Extended Range) airplanes. The order comes just two weeks after the Israeli flag-carrier took delivery of its first 737-900 ER. This order brings the total number of 737-900 ERs ordered by El Al to eight.
Theย order was finalized at a special event hosted by El Al at the carrier’s base at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport to celebrate the recent arrival of El Al’s first 737-900 ER. The Boeing 737-900 ER has the highest capacity and lowest seat-mile cost of Boeing’s single-aisle family and will perfectly complement EL AL’s existing fleet of Next-Generation 737-700s and 737-800s.
El Al’s 737-900 ERs will also feature the innovative Boeing Sky Interior, enabling the airline to differentiate itself from its competitors by offering passengers a more comfortable travel experience. The 737 Boeing Sky Interior features modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting to enhance the sense of spaciousness and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins.
Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. Brand new Boeing 737-958 ER 4X-EHA (msn 41552) was delivered to El Al on October 9, 2013.
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